Chicken Momos Recipe

Steamed Chicken Momos Recipe With Spicy Dipping Sauce

Chicken momos have become one of the most beloved dumplings across South Asia and beyond, cherished for their soft, pillowy texture and savory filling.

Steamed to perfection, these little pockets of comfort food originated in Tibet and Nepal before winning hearts worldwide.

Street vendors and fine dining restaurants alike feature them on menus because they satisfy cravings any time of day.

The gentle cooking process keeps everything tender while allowing flavors to meld beautifully inside that delicate wrapper.

Momos work wonderfully as appetizers, snacks, or even light meals when you want something satisfying yet not too heavy.

Pairing them with spicy dipping sauces creates a flavor combination that keeps people coming back for more.

Friends and family gather around plates of freshly steamed dumplings, making any occasion feel special.

Making homemade momos fills your kitchen with warmth and creates memorable moments around the table.

What Makes Chicken Momos So Enjoyable

What Makes Chicken Momos So Enjoyable
  • Quick Kitchen Win: Steam these delightful chicken parcels faster than ordering takeout, giving your dinner table an exciting twist without complicated steps.
  • Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Grab common kitchen staples like chicken, flour, and basic seasonings to create a restaurant-quality dish that will impress your entire family.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: These momos work perfectly as appetizers, snacks, or main course, making them ideal for casual gatherings or weeknight dinners where everyone wants something different.
  • Healthier Alternative: Steamed instead of fried, these momos pack protein and vegetables into a lighter meal that feels like a treat without heavy guilt.

Core Ingredients for Chicken Momos

Momo Wrapper:
  • All Purpose Flour (1 cup): The foundation of your wrapper that gives the perfect soft and stretchy texture for your dumplings.
  • Water (1/3 cup): Helps bind your flour into a smooth, pliable dough that will cradle your delicious filling.
  • Salt (1/2 Teaspoon): Adds a subtle flavor boost to your wrapper’s base.
Chicken Filling:
  • Chicken Mince (200 Grams): The star protein that brings hearty, savory goodness to your momos.
  • Onion (1/2 Cup): Provides a sweet and aromatic base for your filling’s flavor profile.
  • Celery (2 Tablespoons), Spring Onion (1/2 Cup): Fresh vegetables that add crisp texture and bright green notes.
  • Ginger (1/2 Teaspoon), Garlic (1/2 Teaspoon): Aromatic seasonings that deliver a classic Asian flavor punch.
  • Oyster Sauce (1 Tablespoon): Brings a rich, umami depth to your momo filling.
  • Cornflour (1 Teaspoon): Helps bind the filling and keeps everything moist.
  • Salt (1/2 Teaspoon), Pepper (1/4 Teaspoon): Essential seasonings to enhance the overall taste.

Tools Used for Chicken Momos

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious ceramic or stainless steel bowl where you’ll knead your soft dough and prepare the tasty chicken filling.
  • Rolling Pin (8-10 inches): Essential tool to roll out thin, uniform dough wrappers that wrap perfectly around your savory chicken mixture.
  • Steamer Basket (8-10 inches): Perforated bamboo or metal steamer where your momos will transform into delicate, steamed delights.
  • Sharp Kitchen Knife: Precise blade for finely chopping onions, garlic, spring onions, and preparing your filling ingredients.
  • Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping vegetables and meat with ease and cleanliness.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate tools to measure flour, salt, and spices for consistent momo perfection.
  • Kitchen Towel: Soft cloth to cover your dough while it rests, keeping moisture locked in.

Preparation Steps for Chicken Momos

Preparation Steps for Chicken Momos
1

Prepare Dough

Mix 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl. Gradually add 1/3 cup water and knead until the dough feels smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest while preparing the filling.

2

Create Chicken Mixture

Grab a separate bowl and combine the filling ingredients carefully:

  • 200 grams ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped spring onion
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cornflour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Mix everything thoroughly so each bite will have balanced flavors.

3

Roll Dough Wrappers

Dust your work surface with flour. Pinch small pieces of dough and roll them into thin, circular shapes about 3 inches wide. Keep the remaining dough covered to prevent drying.

4

Fill Wrappers

Place one rounded tablespoon of chicken mixture in the center of each wrapper. Don’t overfill, or you’ll have trouble sealing them.

5

Shape Momos

Fold the wrapper edges to create beautiful half-moon shapes. Pinch the edges firmly to seal the filling inside.

6

Steam Cooking

Lightly grease a steamer basket with cooking spray. Arrange momos without touching each other. Steam at 212°F for exactly 12 minutes until the wrappers look translucent and shiny.

7

Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the hot momos to a serving plate. Pair with your favorite chili-garlic chutney for an extra kick of flavor.

Useful Notes for Chicken Momos

Useful Notes for Chicken Momos
  • Knead your dough until it feels smooth and elastic, preventing tough wrappers that can ruin the momo texture.
  • Keep your chicken mixture slightly moist but not wet, ensuring juicy momos that don’t dry out during steaming.
  • Roll each wrapper thin enough to see your hand through, but strong enough to hold the filling without tearing.
  • Arrange momos with enough room between them so steam circulates freely, cooking each dumpling evenly.
  • Pair your momos with a zesty chili-garlic sauce that complements the delicate chicken flavor and adds a kick of heat.

Different Takes on Chicken Momos

  • Vegetarian Momo Swap: Replace chicken mince with crumbled tofu, finely chopped mushrooms, or mixed vegetables for a plant-based version that keeps the same delicious steamed texture.
  • Gluten-Free Friendly: Use rice flour or gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour to make the wrappers safe for your celiac friends, adjusting liquid amounts to get the right dough consistency.
  • Spicy Kick Variation: Add chopped green chilies or red chili flakes to the filling for extra heat that’ll wake up your taste buds, keeping the original recipe’s core technique intact.
  • Baked Alternative: For those without a steamer, spread momos on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 15-18 minutes, brushing with a bit of oil to help them crisp up nicely.

How to Serve Chicken Momos

  • Steam with Space: Spread your momos in the steamer basket so they aren’t touching, giving each little dumpling room to cook perfectly and preventing them from sticking together.
  • Wrapper Wisdom: Roll your dough super thin for delicate, translucent wrappers that showcase the juicy chicken filling inside.
  • Dipping Delight: Pair these steamed momos with a zingy chili-garlic sauce that cuts through the rich chicken and adds a spicy kick to every bite.
  • Shape Your Style: Experiment with different folding techniques – half-moon or pleated shapes work great and make each momo look uniquely handcrafted.

How To Store Chicken Momos

  • Store leftover momos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, carefully stacking them with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
  • Reheat steamed momos by placing them in a steamer for 3-4 minutes, which helps restore their original soft texture and prevents them from drying out.
  • For a quick lunch, crisp up cold momos in a hot skillet with a tiny splash of water, covering the pan to warm them through evenly without losing moisture.
  • Freeze uncooked momos on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for later – steam directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.

Chicken Momos Questions Readers Often Ask

FAQ

Are momos hard to make at home?

Momos seem complicated, but they’re actually simple once you understand the technique. Fold carefully and practice a few times to get smooth, neat dumplings.

FAQ

Can I use different meat instead of chicken?

Absolutely! Ground lamb, pork, or turkey work perfectly. Vegetarians can replace meat with tofu or mixed vegetables for delicious results.

FAQ

What if my dough feels too dry or sticky?

Adjust by adding tiny amounts of water or flour. The perfect dough should feel smooth and elastic without cracking when stretched.

FAQ

How thin should the wrapper be?

Roll wrappers super thin, almost transparent. Thin wrappers ensure quick, even steaming and a delicate texture that melts in your mouth.

FAQ

Do I need special equipment to steam momos?

Not at all! A regular steamer basket or even a colander over boiling water works great. The key is keeping momos above direct water contact.

FAQ

Can I freeze uncooked momos?

Definitely! Arrange uncooked momos on a tray, freeze separately, then transfer to freezer bags. Steam directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.

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Chicken Momos Recipe

Chicken Momos Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 3 to 4 1x

Description

Chicken Momos bring delicious Nepalese street food straight to your kitchen with simple ingredients and quick preparation. Steamed dumplings packed with savory spiced chicken will become your new favorite comfort meal that disappears faster than you can make them.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 200 Grams Chicken Mince
  • 1 Cup All Purpose Flour

Supporting Ingredients:

  • ½ Cup Onion
  • ½ Cup Spring Onion
  • 2 Tablespoons Celery

Seasoning and Binding Ingredients:

  • ⅓ Cup Water
  • ½ Teaspoon Salt
  • ½ Teaspoon Ginger
  • ½ Teaspoon Garlic
  • 1 Tablespoon Oyster Sauce
  • 1 Teaspoon Cornflour
  • ½ Teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon Pepper

Instructions

  1. Mix 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, and ⅓ cup water in a mixing bowl. Knead the ingredients until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
  2. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel. Allow it to rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine 200 grams chicken mince with ½ cup chopped onion, 2 tablespoons chopped celery, ½ cup spring onion, ½ teaspoon ginger, and ½ teaspoon garlic.
  4. Add 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon cornflour, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper to the chicken mixture. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are well incorporated.
  5. Dust your work surface with flour. Divide the dough into small, equal-sized portions.
  6. Roll each dough portion into a thin, circular wrapper using a rolling pin. Aim for approximately 3-inch diameter circles.
  7. Place 1 heaping teaspoon of chicken filling in the center of each wrapper.
  8. Fold the wrapper edges to create half-moon shapes, ensuring the filling is completely enclosed.
  9. Arrange the momos in a lightly greased steamer basket, keeping them slightly separated.
  10. Steam the momos at 212°F for 10-12 minutes until the wrappers turn translucent and glossy.
  11. Remove from heat and serve immediately with your preferred dipping sauce.

Notes

  • Let the dough rest for at least 15-20 minutes to help it become more elastic and easier to roll out without tearing.
  • Use very finely chopped vegetables to ensure the filling stays compact and steams evenly inside the wrapper.
  • Keep your dough and wrappers covered with a damp cloth while working to prevent them from drying out and cracking.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with rice flour or a gluten-free flour blend, which will give slightly different but still delicious results.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Chicken
  • Method: Steaming
  • Cuisine: Tibetan

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3 to 4
  • Calories: 147 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 345 mg
  • Fat: 3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Fiber: 1.2 g
  • Protein: 13 g
  • Cholesterol: 38 mg
Mary Sue

Mary Sue

Founder & Creative Recipe Developer

Expertise

Comfort Food Twists, Seasonal Cooking, Creative Flavor Pairings, Easy Weeknight Dinners, Flexible Pantry Cooking

Education

Trident Technical College, Culinary Institute of Charleston
  • Program: Culinary Arts Technology, A.A.S.
  • Focus: Built a strong foundation in professional food preparation, cooking, and presentation while also learning the hospitality side of the industry, including quality standards, sanitation, and the real-world pace of working kitchens

Mary Sue is the playful, creative recipe mind behind Mary Sue & Susan, known for big flavor ideas, warm storytelling, and dishes that feel both comforting and a little unexpected. She has a talent for taking familiar meals and giving them just enough personality to make them memorable.

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